The Latest on C. difficile Infections. Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection is a safety concern in all types of medical facilities, not just hospitals. C. diff is a bacterium that attacks the gut and causes severe diarrhea, weight loss, and other intestinal diseases after protective bacteria in the gut flora have been wiped out by antibiotics.

FDA: Proton Pump Inhibitors Linked to C. Difficile-Associated Diarrhea. The Food and Drug Administration has notified healthcare providers that the use of proton pump inhibitors may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea.

Restraint Urged in Prescribing PPIs for Infants, Children and Teens. According to published industry data, some 2 million children of all ages are prescribed heartburn drugs every year, the most common of which are proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid.

New Guidance on Concomitant Use of PPIs and Clopidogrel. Over the past year, confusion has ensued as to whether patients who take clopidogrel should also take proton pump inhibitors. The potential benefits of antiplatelet therapy for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease have been amply demonstrated, especially among patients at higher risk of CV events.